— Dogwashn. A project of minimal priority, undertaken as an escape from more serious work. (Jargon File)
— Me? I'm just a lawnmower. You can tell by the way I walk. (Peter Gabriel)

03 September, 2012

Squeamsville

Just listening to the BBC World Service whereon denizens of the "Fifth Floor" (the foreign-language services) are discussing the requirements of non-discriminatory language in the context of the Paralympics.

Apparently I am no longer able-bodied but non-disabled. The logic behind this, it seems, is that many of the disabled are partially able-bodied inasmuch as they might have some fully, er, "normal" function. An individual might, for example, have missing or non-working legs but have normal functionality in their arms. To use the old term, they are differently abled, a phrase which seems to have been too prissy even for the politically hypercorrect to say with a straight face.

The thing is, this redefining of language will never stop. No sooner do we have an agreed definition for a human condition then someone will say they object or it is not inclusive or excludes someone or is, well, intellectually bollocks. (Except that would not do for the castrated among us)

But of course, it is the definition handed down from certain groups. Lower on the ladder the rest of the population will still use 'dismissive' statements because they haven't got time for word games or fancy committees or little-read newspaper columns.

However the proponents of Newnewspeak do have the ear of the lawmakers, and before long the 'derogatory but sometimes accurate' words will enter into the law books as hate-crimes so our cops, rather than chase the criminals, will be online surfing for misuse of words.

[Reposted] Originally posted by wordsworth to Dogwash at 03 September, 2012 12:23

About Me

Edwin Greenwood is the nom de souris of a Mancunian early baby-boomer, now living in London, who like so many of his cohort has made the transition from cuddly inclusive soft-left liberal into a grumpy old git who is quite prepared to call a spade a black bastard.
(The previous sentence may cause consternation to the Righteous. If this is you, read this and/or this before exploding with indignation.)